Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 04 May 2024 at 05:11
I’m sure many of you, like me, are wondering where the first half of January disappeared to but I wanted to say how proud I am of you and everything that you have done to help keep our communities safe. Whilst some areas across the region remain very challenged, we have seen some small signs of this pressure alleviating – a trend I very much hope continues.
Given this changing situation, we are taking steps to restart training across the Trust – initially focusing on those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to receive training for some time. This is a small step as we complete a wider review of training for all our people to making sure we give you the time to develop your skills and career.
We have also started to review our current COVID related restrictions. Once we are clearer on the current position across our region and the latest guidance will make an informed decision on what steps we need to take in the coming weeks and communicate this to you.
Vaccination as a condition of deployment
At the end of 2021 it became law that all NHS and social care staff in patient-facing roles need to be fully vaccinated against COVID by 1 April 2022. This means that if you are in a patient-facing role you will only be able to continue working if you are vaccinated or are able to demonstrate that you fall within one of the exemptions listed in the VCOD regulations. Anyone who has not yet been vaccinated needs to have had their first vaccine by 3 February in order to be fully vaccinated by the 1 April deadline and that date is approaching fast!
We have a small number of our patient-facing colleagues who have not yet been vaccinated. We are having supportive 1:1 conversations with them so that we can understand their reasons for not yet having the vaccine, provide further information and discuss their options going forwards.
However, please be aware that not being vaccinated will mean that you will not be able to undertake a frontline role from 1 April 2022. There are likely to be limited options for redeploying people. So unfortunately this could result in a number of staff leaving the Trust.
We are holding a series of bespoke Q and A sessions to answer questions about this important topic. Details will be posted on Need to Know very soon.
CQC webinars
The CQC are set to inspect us in the near future and, although we don’t yet have a date, it is important we are all prepared for their arrival.
Ahead of the visit, we are holding a number of webinars to help answer any specific questions you may have around the CQC Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs). All the sessions will be recorded and shared on Need to Know, so if you can’t make the webinars please do catch up with them at a later date. The next webinar will focus on the ‘Effective’ KLOE on Wednesday 26th January. You can find more information here.
Cultural ambassadors
This week, saw the much overdue launch of our Cultural Ambassadors programme. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to be trained as one of our Cultural Ambassadors.
Their role will be to help understand the experience of colleagues from all backgrounds, and to help us ensure that our recruitment, training and disciplinary processes become fairer and identify opportunities on how we can make our teams more inclusive, so that everyone has the same opportunity to progress their careers within our Trust.
Forthcoming topics for our Q&A sessions
Following a number of your questions raised at the weekly Executive Q&A sessions we are holding a number of themed sessions over the coming weeks, these will include the following topics: Digital developments, Cannulas, Training and Education, and Mental Health.
As a reminder, the briefings take place each week on Thursday afternoon. All members of staff are welcome and, for those unable to attend, a recording of the briefing is available on NTK. The session is a chance for us to update you on key Trust matters and answer any questions you may have. You can send questions in advance of the session via: OCE.eeast@eastamb.nhs.uk.
Outrun an Ambulance
This week, our Charity launched ‘Outrun an Ambulance,’ a virtual challenge inviting people to conquer the mileage clocked-up by crews during the course of a typical shift. The challenge is designed to suit all people and all abilities and you can run, walk, swim, cycle or self-propel yourself over the distance however you choose. EEAST is one of six regional NHS ambulance charities joining together for the challenge, the other charities taking part are: South Western, London, North West, South Central and Yorkshire. The money raised will help to provide enhanced facilities and wellbeing support for our staff and volunteers here at EEAST. For more information and to set-up a personal fundraising page for the challenge visit our JustGiving page here.
Many thanks for all that you continue to do. Stay safe.
Juliet Beal
Interim Director of Nursing, Clinical Quality and Improvement
20th January 2022